Addison County VT

Bristol Vermont – Early Manufactures

The first grist-mill built in the town was put up by James, William and John O’Brian about the year 1792. It was located west of South Mountain, upon the brook which still bears the builders’ name. This mill was a small affair, and was in use but a short time, though it was very valuable to the early settlers, until a more pretentious structure was built at New Haven Mills. Subsequently, in 1805, a grist-mill was built at Bristol village by Enos Soper, and which did service until September, 1849, when it was destroyed by fire. Henry and Enos Soper … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Elias Bottum

Bottum, Elias, New Haven, was born in Shaftsbury, Vt., in February, 1791, and died on February 6, 1865. He was a son of Simon and Elizabeth (Huntington) Bottum. He settled in New Haven, Vt., in 1805, and was married on February 5, 1811, to Diadama Squire, a daughter of Andrew and Nancy (Cole) Squire, who were among the early settlers of New Haven. They had a family of four children born to them, all of whom are now dead — Mary A. (the wife of Julius Sprague), Charlotte E. (married Ezra Hoyt), Caroline E. (the wife of James Meacham), and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles T. Cowley

Cowley, Charles T., Weybridge, was born in St. Albans, Vt., on July 26, 1844. His parents were John and Mary (Tier) Cowley. John was educated in the common schools, and brought up to farming, remaining at home until August 25, 1862, when he enlisted in the First Vermont Cavalry, and participated in all of the skirmish engagements up to the last day of the fight at Gettysburg, when he was wounded and taken prisoner by the rebels, and on July 4 was paroled and sent to Bedloe’s Island, then to Newark, N. J., and last to Burlington, where he was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles D. Keeler

Keeler, Charles D., Vergennes, was born in Kent, Litchfield county, Conn., in 1810. He became an apprentice in the tanning business in 1826, and in 1831 he embarked in the manufacture of boots and shoes, and also in the tanning business, which he has continued until the present time. He was married in 1837 to Lovina Williams, who died in 1841, leaving four children, all of whom have since died. Charles D. Keeler then married his second wife, Sophia Gay, in 1851. She died leaving three children, only one of whom is now living — Mary (who married John W. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Levi Meeker

Levi Meeker came to Addison from Elizabethtown, N. Y., in 1806, locating in the southeastern part of the town upon the farm lately owned by Horace Meeker, deceased, and now the property of his nephew. He held various town offices, and died at the age of seventy-eight years.

Bridport Vermont- Early Business Interests

The population of Bridport has always been strictly of an agricultural character. Its tradesmen and mechanics have almost invariably devoted their energies exclusively to supplying the home demand. The dearth of manufactures is attributed to the absence, as we have previously noted, of adequate water power. At an early day, when the settlers were clearing their lands and wood ashes were plentiful, Bridport, in common with other towns, did considerable business in the manufacture of potash, which found a market in Troy, Albany, and sometimes Quebec. In this manufacture Samuel Buck was pioneer. His works were located near the present … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin T. Field

Field, Benjamin T., Ferrisburgh, Vergennes p. o., was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1855. He was married in 1876 to Minnie Laduke, a daughter of Joseph and Olive Laduke. They had a family of three children born to them — Maude, Thaddeus, and Rose. Benjamin was a son of Thomas and Abbie (Herrington) Field. Thomas was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Rogers, by whom he had one daughter — Ann. He died in 1878, at the age of seventy-four years. He had two sons by his second wife — Benjamin T., and Orville C. Thomas was a son … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frank H. Bacon

Bacon, Frank H., Waltham, Vergennes p. o., was born in Waltham on May 11, 1857. He was married on September 29, 1885, to Hattie C. Bingham, a daughter of Hiram and Marion (Ford) Bingham, of Cornwall, Vt. His parents were Oscar A. and Julia A. (Stewart) Bacon. Mrs. Bacon was a daughter of Helem and Eleanor (Humphrey) Stewart, of Weybridge, Vt. Her paternal grandfather was Brazilla Stewart, who settled in Bridport, Vt., in 1790, and was a son of James Stewart, who was a native of Connecticut, and settled in Addison, Vt., at an early day. Oscar Bacon has had … Read more

Bridport Vermont – Ecclesiastical

The Congregational Church of Bridport, located at the village, was organized by Rev. Lemuel Haynes, of West Rutland, June 30, 1790, with twelve members. February 29, 1794, Rev. Increase Graves was installed the first settled minister. The first house of worship was a frame structure, built during the year of organization, which is now a part of the dwelling which is owned and occupied by Miss Mariette Miner and her mother, situated south of the park in Bridport village. The present commodious brick building, capable of seating five hundred and fifty persons, was erected in 1851, costing $9,000. The society … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ira D. Smith

Smith, Ira D., Monkton, Monkton Ridge p. o., was born at Monkton, Vt., in 1852. He was married in 1873 to Carrie A. Smith, a daughter of Warren and Mary A. (Sleeper) Smith, and was born in 1854. They have had five children born to them — George, born in 1874; Thaddeus K., born in 1876; Fanny I., born in 1878; Joseph P., born in 1880; and Avah L., born in 1885. Ira D. Smith was a son of Daniel W. and Cynthia M. (Purmort) Smith; she was born in Franklin county, Vt., on September 11, 1817, and Daniel was … Read more

Biography of Esq. Philip Battell

BATTELL, PHILIP, Esq., was born at Norfolk, Ct., November 28, 1807. His father was the elder Joseph Battell, a prosperous and public-spirited merchant of that town; his mother Sarah Battell, daughter of the Rev. Ammi R. Robbins, for fifty-two years the beloved pastor of the Norfolk Church. When hardly twelve years old, young Philip was sent to Lennox Academy, Mass., to prepare for college under “Father Gleason,” who in those days was held in high repute as an educator of youth. After studying two years at the academy he finished his preparation for college by spending one year more with … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry Rogers

Rogers, Henry, Ferrisburgh, was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1804, and died on September 16, 1876. He was prominent in establishing the post-office at the Center, and was its first postmaster. He was a large dealer in, and shipper of butter and cheese, and an active man in all town affairs. He was married in 1835 to Susan Martin. They had one daughter born to them — Phebe Holmes, born in 1836. Henry Rogers was a son of Joseph and Jemima (Holmes) Rogers. who were natives of Danby, Rutland county, Vt. Susan Martin was born in 1814, and was a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jesse Crane

Jesse and Asa Crane, brothers, came into town from Connecticut at an early date; both had large families, and some of their descendants are now prominently known as enterprising farmers and stock raisers, among whom are Julius J., Joseph R., Cassius P. and Byron W. Philip Searl came into town about 1791; was a farmer and lived where Oscar Kitchel now lives; was many years deacon of the Congregational Church, and reared a family of many children; died in 1852, aged eighty-four years. His son Gordon was at one time one of the leading merchants, and also a deacon of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James O. Walker

Walker, James O., Ferrisburgh, was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1840, and is one of the prominent farmers and businessmen of this town. He took to farming in early life, in which he has been very successful. In 1882 he commenced the business of the buying and selling of hay, straw, and grain, and is now one of the present firm of Booth & Walker, having receiving depots at Vergennes and New Haven, Vt. He now owns and occupies his grandfather’s old homestead. He was married in 1867 to M. M. Beady, of Charlotte, Chittenden county, Vt. They have a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William H. Ten Broeke

Ten Broeke, William H., Panton, was born in Vergennes, Vt., in 1832. He is a farmer, and occupies the old homestead. He was a town clerk for twenty-three years, and has held many of the town offices. He also has been a music teacher. He was married in 1857 to Sarah Hayes, of Ferrisburgh, Vt. She was a daughter of Alanson and Parmelia (Roberts) Hayes, and died in 1873 on August 4, leaving a family of five children, three of whom are now living — James, Sarah E., and Isabella. William H. Ten Broeke then married for his second wife … Read more

Cornwall Vermont – Early Settlements

The first settlers of Cornwall were Asa Blodget, James Bentley, James Bentley, jr., Thomas Bentley, Joseph Throop, Theophilus Allen, William Douglass, Samuel Benton, Eldad Andrus, Samuel Blodget, Sardius Blodget, Solomon Linsley, Aaron Scott and Nathan Foot. They arrived and made their pitches in 1774. The eight first named selected their lands in the east part of the township, bounding on Otter Creek, and by the change of limits, in 1796 became inhabitants of Middlebury. The remaining six made their pitches in the northern and central parts of this town. In 1775 Ebenezer Stebbins, Joel Linsley and John Holley made their … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles E. Smith

Smith, Charles E., Bristol, was born in the town of Hancock, Vt., on September 30, 1838. He was a son of Norman C. and Sally (Brooks) Smith. Sally Smith was a daughter of John Brooks, who was one of the early settlers in Bristol Flats, Vt. Norman C. was a native of New Haven Mills, and was born there in 1809, on April 19. His father was Captain Simon Smith, once a captain of militia, and a native of Salisbury, Conn. Charles E. Smith acquired his knowledge of photography in Ludlow, Vt., and succeeded to the business of the late … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Blodget

Samuel Blodget pitched on a lot of one hundred acres on the old North and South road from Cornwall to Middlebury, which was destroyed some time before 1860. M. B. Williamson, R. A. Foot, A. M. Williamson, Mrs. M. M. Peet, and Mrs. Alberton S. Bingham are his grandchildren. He was taken prisoner at the same time as Eldad Andrus, and was bound to a tree and threatened with death. Upon making himself known to a British officer as a Freemason, this fate was averted, and it was reserved for him to be taken to Ticonderoga, “where he suffered all … Read more

Biography of Gideon W. Whitford

Whitford, Gideon W., Addison, was born in Addison, Addison county, Vt., on August 10, 1828. His parents were William T. and Almina S. (Seeger) Whitford. William T. was born in Addison county, on the Whitford homestead, in 1802. On reaching manhood he settled on the place now owned and occupied by his son, Ezra Whitford. He spent his days on this place, remodeling and improving it. He was a successful man during his life, and reared a family of ten children to maturity, nine of whom are now living. He was a member of the Baptist Church for many years, … Read more

Biography of Sheldon Smith

SMITH, SHELDON. The second family of permanent settlers in the town of Bridport, Addison county, Vt., was that of Samuel Smith, of New Jersey, who made the long journey from that State in what was termed a “Jersey wagon,” drawn by a yoke of oxen. They came to what is now Whitehall, N. Y., at the head of Lake Champlain, where they disposed of the team, no roads being then opened, and loaded their goods on a bateau and sailed down the lake, probably to some point within the present town of Panton. They subsequently came to Bridport, and Mr. … Read more